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How to Get Cigarette Smoke Smell Out of a Car

July 24, 2010
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If you have ever purchased a privately owned car, you may are left wondering how to get the smell of cigarette smoke out of a car. There are some people who go the extra mile to detail their vehicles before sale, but if you are scoping a spur-of-the-moment deal that is on Craigslist, you may be purchasing an AS-IS car that doubled as a mobile smoking lounge.

Not only is the upholstery stained or discolored from cigarette smoke, but the unmistakable odor has been left behind. You need to learn how you are likely to get the cigarette smell out of a car in case you are a non-smoker who prefers a low-tar automobile interior.

Whatever method you use when you're following these directions for how to get cigarette smell out of a car, it's going to require elbow grease. Cigarette smell will get into everything. Assuming that you need to do the job as cheaply as it is possible – you aren't a professional auto detailer, but an auto loans-bearing consumer – what follows are some DIY tips that don't require scary chemicals. Yes, hydrogen peroxide will do the job, but why not use less costly home methods that are less likely to bleach your skin and cause blisters or irritation? Here are some ideas, courtesy of How to Do Things:

Vacuum the car. Some particles of cigarette smell is on the car. Use hose attachments.

Use some white vinegar. It helps a lot to leave a bowl within the car overnight.

Use some citrus peels. Toss some peels in different places. It will surely work although it might take a couple of days.

Get some baking soda. Put it in the car and leave it a couple of hours. See how your car smells after vacuuming that up. If you aren't sure how your upholstery will react to baking soda, spot test this first.

Use coffee grounds. Put all of the grounds in filters and secure them so they won't dump the grounds onto the upholstery. Place the filters within the car.

Make sure to air it out. Doesn’t it just seem obvious? For a couple of hours, leave the doors open. For minor lingering cigarette odors, this may help.

Get some charcoal. Similar to the vinegar method, leave a bowl of charcoal within the car overnight.

Pay attention to the lights. Interior lights attract smoke. With the strongest cleaner you have, scrub these areas. Even bring in a hydrogen peroxide mix here if necessary.

Don't drive an ash mobile

It is severe business getting cigarette smell out of a car. Many people are sickened by exposure to the gross smell, which is something nobody wants to experience when they purchase a new car. Why not try these simple home remedies?